Justin Grant Calls for Black Executive Sponsorship Amid Diversity Resistance

You know what they say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Now let’s make that proverb resonate even more with what’s happening in the corporate world today. Let’s talk about “sponsorship” for a moment. No, we’re not talking about getting endorsed by Nike or Red Bull or any of the other hip brands. In corporate lingo, sponsorship equates to having a high-ranking individual rallying for you behind those hushed boardroom doors – helping your career achieve greater peaks.

If you confused sponsorship with mentorship, let me clarify one thing. Mentorship is about skill enhancement and knowledge gain, while sponsorship? That’s about promoting your name and your work in those plush, power-loaded corporate corridors. Justin Grant, one of the corporate hotshots, explained it lucidely: “You want your boss’s associates in other departments to know who you are…” He wants them to stand up and vouch for you when it comes to promotions or juicy bonuses, in his appearance on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, hosted by the savvy Will Lucas, AFROTECH™ Brand Manager.

Grant appreciates the three white executives who played the role of his sponsors throughout his career but noticed a somewhat troubling trend. He saw that Black executives are often hesitant when it comes to sponsorship. Now, why should we care about this topic? It’s simple. It’s about creating opportunities, it’s about uplifting one another, and mainly, it’s about transforming the narrative for underrepresented communities within the four walls of these corporations. So let’s dive a bit deeper, and let’s talk about how we can upend this trend and bring about action.